Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Monday, April 8, 2013

My son was featured on the Savannah News concerning a film contest he is now competing in at SCAD. Winner will have a great opportunity...one being a trip to the Canne Film Festival in France. We are so proud of him.... he has worked hard.

C4YW "Conference For Young Women" affected by breast cancer. If you were diagnosed between the ages of 19-45, these are your 'sistahs'...This year's conference was held in Seattle, WA.C4YW will return to Orlando in Feb 2014..Hope to see you there..

Click the link below to see what 650 young women breast cancer survivors/caregivers/supporters look like that met up in Seattle, WA for this year's conference.....

‎"The only means by which you can truly take back what the enemy has stolen from you is through your willingness to move forward without those things while trusting God to provide you with greater, more than you could ask or imagine."-Angie Suttles copyright 1/19/2011

"Your life follows your words so what are you speaking? You're either activating angels or engaging the enemy." -Angie Suttles copyright 1/18/2011

‎"Love from the true One covers the hates of a multitude." -Angie Suttles copyright 1/16/2011

"Dreamed I was a multi-millionaire and all I remember is the unhappiness I felt. I woke up, looked around and realized how happy I am."-Angie Suttles copyright 1/8/2011

‎"Life is not about having all of your questions answered: the what, why and how's. Life is in the seeking, the when and where's."-Angie Suttles copyright 1/2/2011

‎"What you receive in the new year depends on what you are willing to achieve in the new year."-Angie Suttles copyright 12/31/2010

‎"Weariness is not weakness; weariness is the warrior catching their breath."-Angie Suttles copyright 12/17/2010

"Don't expect your life to work, if your not working on your life."- Angie Suttles copyright 12/12/2010

‎"God is not a crutch for the weak; God is the compass for the strong."-Angie Suttles copyright 12/8/2010

‎"God's Grace is so great that even in failure, you'll find favor." I can testify!-Angie Suttles copyright 12/2/2010

‎"Ladies, do the math; if he devalues you, he's not worth it!"-Angie Suttles copyright 11/28/2010

‎"Don"t busy yourself with 'Bucket List', appreciate the pleasures at your arm's length; life is a privilege."-Angie Suttles copyright 11/18/2010

‎"Desire to regain all the things you have lost will only distract you from all the things you still have to gain."-Angie Suttles copyright 11/18/2010

"The Church" don't need to be fed; we need to be hungry." "A greater appetite will change our perception of Who God is." -Angie Suttles

‎"We're not equipped in "The Calling," of God; we're equipped through the "Anointing of God." -Angie Suttles copyright 11/16/2010

‎"You cannot change history but history can change you; let it be for the better."-Angie Suttles copyright 11/12/2010

"Facts often look as though you've been denied a life of anything better; truth says you've only been delayed for something greater."-Angie Suttles copyright 11/9/2010

"You only receive by the measure of your ability to believe and faith never ask us for perfection, only participation." -Angie Suttles copyright 11/4/2010

"Is there really such thing as a bad day or just one day when things went badly?"-Angie Suttles copyright 10/28/10

"I have seen people die afraid of living and people living afraid of dying, both a tragedy."- Angie Suttles copyright 10/11/10

"You were not made to merely rest on mountaintops; you were built to be victorious in battle!"-Angie Suttles 10/6/2010

"Time does not heal all wounds, the Creator of time heals all wounds."-Angie Suttles copyright 10/4/2010

"Opposition is opportunity. The worst time in your life can be the best time for your life."-Angie Suttles copyright 9/26/2010

"Boredom can be a blessing and a birthing place for something brilliant."-Angie Suttles copyright 7/1/2010

"Funny how we count down eagerly through the week to get to the weekend and then we ask, "Where does the time go?"-Angie Suttles copyright 7/9/2010

"The winter season of a man is not permission for him to retire, but to inspire."- Angie Suttles copyright 9/23/2010

"To live without passion is like trying to sing while holding your breath."-Angie Suttles copyright 9/2/2010

My Call to Action

As a free-lance motivational writer, I have had the awesome opportunity to share my healing journey in a variety of collaborative books, various magazines, online blogs, newspapers and 'vocal' organizations located throughout the US and Canada. I have had the honor of sharing my story on Capital Hill, at major universities, places of worship and various women's groups. I have served as a motivational speaker and 'cancer fighter' coach throughout the US, as well as, participated throughout the SE and Canada with breast cancer survivors and general survivors through the sport of dragon boating.

I am presently writing my first solo book where I will be sharing my personal journey of surviving two stage 4 cancers as a young adult in my thirties, new wife and young mother.

My 'About Me' Page

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Not just surviving...but thriving cancer.

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Angie Suttles:

My page, hopefully offers inspiration to enjoy life to the fullest. If I can encourage just one person during whatever their "cancer" in life might be, then everything I have journeyed through would have been worth it all. I want to share the love of Jesus everyday of my life as His Grace has always been sufficient for me during all the trials and tribulations...many of those were "BC", before cancer and BEFORE CHRIST...yes, He kept me before I opened my heart up to Him. There were times in my life that I was much more of a threat to my well being than cancer ever was.

My Story

In 1998, after being treated for what I was told was just an “infection,” I was diagnosed at the age of 31 with a rare stage 4 vaginal cancer, "Vulva" cancer (Squamous Cell). I underwent a radical vulvectomy followed by 28 treatments of radiation to the pelvic which, of course, ended all possibilities of more children. Just at the “5 Year Clear” mark from the vaginal cancer, and again being told “infection”, I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, “Invasive Ductal Carcinoma” that had metastasized to the bones. I underwent a lymphectomy (9 out of 12 were positive for cancer) and mastectomy and received the normal protocol of radiation, chemotherapy, and bone strengthener.

My final report in June 2004 stated "Healing and Response to Therapy", which I was also told is very rarely stated in reports of this kind. I was then placed on an anti-hormone as it was determined that the cancer had been Estrogen driven.

Twice I was treated for “infection,” but instead had advanced cancers both times.

In December 2008, with tumor markers rising, I returned to chemotherapy, completing 36 treatments in 8 months. Tumor markers returned to normal, chemotherapy was terminated and again, I was placed on a protocol of monthly bone strengthener and an anti-hormone medication.

By April 2010, tumor markers began to climb once again.

This time, I had to make some decisions concerning the care I had been receiving and the facility in which I had been receiving that care. I decided to change oncologist and treatment facilities. I also decided to seek out additional answers at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.

With the oncologist at MD Anderson and my new Oncologist back home in SC at the Cancer Center of the Carolinas in agreement, I was treated for anemia (through a blood transfusion), put on Xoleda (chemo pill that I take 7 days on/7 days off), and continued with a monthly IV bone strengthener (Zometa).

12/2010: Tumor markers are back down and my white count and iron levels are all good.

PET Scan is clear and bones have greatly improved.

I will be able to come off the chemotherapy and return to a new anti-hormone therapy (preventive treatment for Estrogen positive) by the first of the year.

I will also continue with the monthly IV bone strengthener as a preventive treatment.

1/5/2011: I am officially off chemotherapy after 2 long years. I will continue with bone strengthener and an anti-hormone for preventative treatment.

1/2011: Started the anti-hormone (Aromasin) that began a 'paralytic type' condition throughout my body. After a week of this and my throat closing up, I was admitted to the hospital.

Tumor markers doubled in a month's time.

I had three MRI's and several test over the course of the week but found nothing new. We assume this was a reaction to the new medicine.

7/22/2011: Skipped a couple of weeks of the chemo pill - busy with the son's college, etc. and pain started to increase. Took the son to Atlanta to visit SCAD and had to return home. Began experiencing the same type 'paralytic type' condition I had experienced in January of this year so I was admitted to Greenville Hospital. After ten days of test, steroids and pain medicines, I was discharged still leaving the doctors perplexed.

I will remain on a higher dose of the chemotherapy pill and will continue monthly bone strengthener.

February 2012, I was hospitalized once more for pain in the shoulder and joint stiffness. Through various test, it was discovered that there was a golf ball size tumor in the lining between the brain and the skull, though no cancer was found in the Spinal fluid or in the surrounding area.

I did have surgery to remove the tumor that was confirmed to be breast cancer and a port was implanted in the area in the head.

I am continuing chemotherapy and the doctors will on occasion, draw fluid from the brain to confirm the spinal fluid and brain is continuing to remain free from cancer cells.

5/2012 Spinal fluid clear of cancer, tumor markers stable and all the blood work good.

9/2012 After three long years, I am off chemotherapy.

Now on Anti-hormone/inhibitor therapy.

11/20 Surgery again...removal of a second tumor in the head..bc metastatic.

Additional amount of the lining was removed...I am recovering from that surgery but doing well. There are NO cancer cells in the Spinal Fluid which is usually always the case in the type of situation.

The docs will be meeting this week to discuss radiation to the head...docs are not sold on such risky lengths as I am not. I will hear from a tumor marker on Monday and depending on results...will be making decisions concerning next steps.

2013 Confirmed that there will be no radiation to the head/brain.

Will continue on oral medications.

Spring 2013 Head reported perfect after MRI.

PET Scan revealed fluid on the lungs with possible breast cancer mets. Next week, I will undergo surgery to drain fluid and remove some tissue for a biopsy.

If the tissue is breast cancer that has metastasized to the lining of the lungs then my Oncologist will use the biopsy to match the best chemo for treatment.

Here cometh my Help! God will never forsake me.

I know God is before me continuing to make a way.

I love you all and thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Still living beyond surviving, I'm still thriving!

Angie Suttles

I engaged myself during my time of testing by serving as The Relay for Life’s Entertainment Chair, a Committee Member for the 2008 Cancer Survivor Alliance Conference Committee in Columbia, by raising funds, and by volunteering with various other organizations in the community. I became a cancer advocate with The Lance Armstrong Foundation in 2007 when I was chosen by the foundation to travel with Lance Armstrong and 199 of my constituents from around the country to Washington, DC to ask Congress to make cancer a national priority. In 2008, the foundation asked me to lead a local Livestrong grassroots effort, and I formed Livestrong Upstate SC. I also served as a Track Leader for the foundation at the Livestrong Summit in Columbus, Ohio in 2008. Livestrong Upstate SC has held Livestrong Day events annually throughout the Upstate for “Livestrong Day” and served various cancer organizations with fundraising and community events. Under the Livestrong Upstate name, I birthed the Upstate’s first cancer survivor dragon boat support group that now benefits one of the local cancer associations.

Future Plans:

I will continue to work with "The Livestrong Foundation."

I hope to continue as an advocate with "One Voice Against Cancer," where we join together with advocates from various cancer foundations within the United States to share our stories on 'Lobby Day' in Washington, DC.

Also, I will continue to participate with organization's (events, conference, etc. that are vital to changing how our country deals with cancer and the issues that young adults face who have battled this disease) such as the C4YW and Breast Investigators.

Continue to assist in dragon boat programs/festivals throughout the US and Canada that raise funds for research, resources and recovery.

Also, writing my first solo book.

2007 LiveStrong DC Delegate

I was honored to serve as one of The Lance Armstrong Foundation's 200 DC Delegates.

LiveStrong Day in Washington, DC (May 16, 2007)

LiveSTRONG Delegates '07

Unite and LiveStrong

On May 16, 2007, I went with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to Washington, DC, to share my story with members of Congress. We asked them to make cancer aNATIONAL PRIORITY by co-sponsoring the Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Survivorship Act of 2007. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Please write your representatives today.